Match-box.



' E. POEPPEL. MATCH BOX. APPLIUATION FILED Nov.15,'19o9.

inairn 'EMIL '.POEPPEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MATCH-BOX.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL POEPPEL, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, 0f which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to match boxes, and has particular reference to a device of this character which is adapted especially for use on show cases or similar places where it is desired that a single match only shall be delivered at one time. The adaptation of the device however is not to be limited to any particular place or purpose.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following detail description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section substantially on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation and partial section on the line 2-2of Fig. 1.

Throughout the following description and on the several figures of the drawings similar parts are referred to by like reference characters.

The device includes a base 10 upon which is mounted a casing 11 adapted to inclose substantially all of the operating parts of the mechanism. At the top of the casing is a reservoir 12 adapted to be illed with a quantity of matches which will be arranged therein in longitudinal and parallel relation with one another. The reservoir 12 will be of any suitable configuration in cross section, but it is essential that the bottom thereof shall be rounded or sloping so as to direct the matches toward the central portion of the bottom. The reservoir is preferably inclosed by a hinged cover 13 which may be held locked by any suitable form of clasp 141-. In the top of the reservoir or the cover there is provided a longitudinal opening or wall 15, substantially coextensive with the length of the reservoir, said slot being bounded by parallel lips or guards 16, the same being cut away at an intermediate point as indicated at 16.

A plunger 17 is guided for vertical sliding movement within the casing and reservoir by means of guide flanges 17 secured on the inner face of each end wall of the casing. The plunger is provided with a groove 18 along its upper edge adapted to receive Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 15, 1909.

Patented Oct. 18, 1910.

Serial No. 528,133.

and carry therein a single match and deliver the same into the space between the lips 16 and from which it may be grasped by the thumb and fingerv at the opening 16. As a suitable means for operating and lifting the plunger there is provided preferably a lever 19 which is pivoted at 20 within the casing and adjacent to the base 10, and the lever 19 projects through the front wall of the casing at a slot 21 so that the outer end thereof may be operated by the thumb or finger of onehand while the match may be removed from the plunger with the other after the match has been lifted.

-Any suitable supporting devices may be provided within the casing as indicated at 22 and pivoted thereon is a segmental rack 23 having a connection as by a link 24 to the lever 19. The segment 23 is maintained in its normal vertical position by means of a spring 25 connected thereto and at its upper end to the casing. The segment 23 meshes with and operates a gear 26 secured to a shaft 27, and to the shaft at its other end is connected a larger segment 28. The latter segment meshes with a pinion 29, the pinion being long enough to also coperate with a vertical rack 17a constituting one edge or wall of a vertical slot 17b of the plunger 17.

The edge of the vertical slot opposite the rack teeth is smooth and straight and is adapted to cooperate with the pinion 29 to prevent lateral displacement or vibration of the plunger'. Since devices of this character are usually made as cheaply as possible it is important that there shall be no possi bility for the parts to become separated so as to destroy the usefulness thereof.

The reservoir 12 being supplied with matches and closed as already set forth, a person by depression of the lever 19 to the dotted line position of Fig. 1 will cause the' segment 23 to rotate the gear 26 and segment 28 causing the double ended pinion 29 to lift the plunger and thereby present a match into position to be grasped at the opening 16. Upon release of the lever 19 the spring 25 will restore the operating parts to their normal position ready for a succeeding operation and another delivery of a single match.

It isdesired to be understood that the device herein described may be made of any suitable proportions or materials and that the invention is not to be limited in scope except as may be required by the state of the art.

I claim:

l. In a match box of the character set forth, the combination of a reservoir having a slot at its upper side, a plunger movable upwardly through Said reservoir and having a groove along its upper edge adapted to be brought into said slot, said plunger having a vertical slot having a smooth edge and a series of rack teeth along the other edge, a pinion meshing with said rack teeth mounted within said slot closely adjacent said smooth edge, and devices for rotating said pinion to cause the plunger to be elevated, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a substantially closed casing, a reservoir at the top of the casing, a plunger slidable vertically within the casing and reservoir, said plunger being provided with a vertical slot having rack teeth along one of its edges, a pinion mounted within Said slot and meshing at one end with said rack teeth, a gear segment meshing with the other end of said pinion, a gear connected to said gear segment, another gear segment meshing with the said gear, a spring connected at one end to the casing and at its other end to the latter mentioned gear segment, a lever pivoted at one end within the casing and having its other end extending through the casing, and connecting means between said latter mentioned gear segment and said lever, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMIL POEPPEL.

Vitnesses VALENTIN MUELLER, I?. GEHM. 

